The Painted Desert is part of Petrified Forest Nat'l Park, on the northern end of it.

PETRIFIED FOREST NATIONAL PARK -- SOUTHERN END

 

The Visitor Center has an excellent, 20-minute movie explaining the petrified wood phenomenon and the park in general. Make sure you catch it if you're around.

 

If you're the hurried type, count at least 3 hours to visit the park. If you're the contemplative kind, the whole day won't be enough...

 

 

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